An official state appetizer for Texas

Rhode Island is designating calamari as its official state appetizer. The Valero on the corner of Thousand Oaks and Henderson Pass is larger than Rhode Island. Why should Rhode Island have an official state appetizer and not Texas?

Rhode Island is designating calamari as its official state... Photo-5771447.79959 - San Antonio Express-News

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Chicken Fried Steak

A chicken fried steak would make a good state appetizer because all that gravy aids in digestion. Texans eat big, so of course we’d want some help digesting our main meals with the best delivery system for gravy ever created. less

A chicken fried steak would make a good state appetizer because all that gravy aids in digestion. Texans eat big, so of course we’d want some help digesting our main meals with the best delivery system for ... more

Photo: Photos By Jerry Lara / San Antonio Express-News

A chicken fried steak would make a good state appetizer because all... Photo-5673456.79959 - San Antonio Express-News

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Chips and salsa

When you get right down to it, a serving of chips and salsa has got to be the forerunner in our search for a state appetizer. They even hand this stuff out before communion at some churches here in Texas.

When you get right down to it, a serving of chips and salsa has got to be the forerunner in our search for a state appetizer. They even hand this stuff out before communion at some churches here in Texas.

Photo: HELEN L. MONTOYA, SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

When you get right down to it, a serving of chips and salsa has got... Photo-4673942.79959 - San Antonio Express-News

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Nachos

We’re not talking Yankee nachos that are just cheddar cheese microwaved over some chips, but real Texas style nachos. The kind you taste for hours after you’ve left the restaurant.

We’re not talking Yankee nachos that are just cheddar cheese microwaved over some chips, but real Texas style nachos. The kind you taste for hours after you’ve left the restaurant.

Photo: Edmund Tijerina / San Antonio Express-News

We’re not talking Yankee nachos that are just cheddar cheese... Photo-5831334.79959 - San Antonio Express-News

Texans invented Fritos, we damn near invented pie and as far as anyone knows, we did invent chili. So, even if you are heading into the swankiest and snootiest place this side of Austin, you make sure they have Frito Pie waiting on the tables. less

Texans invented Fritos, we damn near invented pie and as far as anyone knows, we did invent chili. So, even if you are heading into the swankiest and snootiest place this side of Austin, you make sure they have ... more

Roasted corn as an appetizer goes back to the earliest Texans, when they weren’t even called Texans, but still knew enough to eat roasted corn before ordering and eating their indigenous main courses.

Roasted corn as an appetizer goes back to the earliest Texans, when they weren’t even called Texans, but still knew enough to eat roasted corn before ordering and eating their indigenous main courses.

Roasted corn as an appetizer goes back to the earliest Texans, when... Photo-4528696.79959 - San Antonio Express-News

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Steak

In some places in Texas steak is the only thing on a menu. So you don’t really have a choice when it comes to the appetizer.

In some places in Texas steak is the only thing on a menu. So you don’t really have a choice when it comes to the appetizer.

Photo: Bloomberg, Getty Images

In some places in Texas steak is the only thing on a menu. So you... Photo-5387068.79959 - San Antonio Express-News

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Big Red was first bottled in 1937, in Texas. It pairs well with any dish, and if taken to the point of almost frozen, can serve as an appetizer all on its own.

Big Red was first bottled in 1937, in Texas. It pairs well with any dish, and if taken to the point of almost frozen, can serve as an appetizer all on its own.

Photo: Helen L. Montoya / San Antonio Express-News

Big Red was first bottled in 1937, in Texas. It pairs well with any... Photo-4577624.79959 - San Antonio Express-News

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Barbacoa taco

Maybe more of a Central and South Texas thing, a barbacoa taco might have the roughest time getting the nod as the official state appetizer, but it should be in the conversation.

Maybe more of a Central and South Texas thing, a barbacoa taco might have the roughest time getting the nod as the official state appetizer, but it should be in the conversation.

Photo: Alison Cook, Houston Chronicle

Maybe more of a Central and South Texas thing, a barbacoa taco... Photo-5636919.79959 - San Antonio Express-News

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Breakfast tacos

Breakfast tacos on the other hand are straight up Texas. Especially bean and cheese. Oh yes, one more thing. If you go to an eatery and order a bean and cheese or any breakfast taco and are told they only serve them in the morning. Leave that place. Leave and never go back. Restaurants like that should not even be allowed to operate in Texas. less

Breakfast tacos on the other hand are straight up Texas. Especially bean and cheese.
Oh yes, one more thing. If you go to an eatery and order a bean and cheese or any breakfast taco and are told they only serve ... more

Photo: Alison Cook, Chronicle

Breakfast tacos on the other hand are straight up Texas. Especially... Photo-1264113.79959 - San Antonio Express-News

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Fried mushrooms

Fried mushrooms, or fried anything, could easily pass as our official appetizer as most Texans are fed fried breast milk to nourish us through infancy. We never forget that fried-ness, which is why we spend most of our adult lives frying everything we can get our hands on before eating it. less

Fried mushrooms, or fried anything, could easily pass as our official appetizer as most Texans are fed fried breast milk to nourish us through infancy.
We never forget that fried-ness, which is why we spend ... more